Christ Is Risen!
Honouring the Women of our Parish
The Brotherhood of St. Xenia of Petersburg Cathedral, on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, have the distinct pleasure to invite our cherished women and girls to a champagne reception in their honour immediately following Divine Liturgy Sunday, 29 April 2012, 11:45 am, Parish Hall. Spouses, family members are, of course, invited as well!Details of Easter Services
Dear brothers and sisters, you shall find a detailed description of the easter services here.April Schedule
Dear brothers and sisters, we are happy to inform you that the new April schedule is now available.Great and Holy Week and the Ressurection of Christ/Pascha 9-15 April 2012
14 April - Great Saturday and Pascha. Hours, Vespers and Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. 9:00 am. Pascha Vigil and Midnight Office, 11:30 pm. This is the longest Liturgy of the Year. Just before the Gospel reading the vestments are changed from black to white and the liturgical atmosphere changes from sorrow to joy. Those faithful who give confession and take communion during this service can again receive the Gifts at the Pascha Liturgy. At 11:30 pm the Paschal Vigil will commence in near darkness, waiting for the proclamation of the Resurrection.15 April - Resurrection of Christ, Pascha, 12:00 am Procession, Matins, Hours and Divine Liturgy. This is the fundamental and most important Holy Day of the year in that it is the primary act that fulfills the Christ’s purpose on earth – to defeat death and exhalt humanity. Christ is Risen from the dead, Trampling down death by death, And upon those in the tombs, Bestowing life!
15 April early morning. Blessing of Baskets and the Breaking of the Fast. Paschal baskets will be blessed by Father Oleg at approximately 1:30 am following Paschal Matins and then again after Divine Liturgy for those staying between approximately 3:30 and 4:00 am. All are then invited to stay and share the traditional festive ‘Breaking of the Fast’ meal in the Parish Hall before returning home.
15 April, starting at 2 pm - Paschal Vespers and Annual Buffet. All are invited to attend this short and joyous Vespers. Following Vespers the Parish is hosting a Paschal Buffet allow all to celebrate this most joyous Holy Day as one family and community. Please plan to attend and contribute your signature Paschal dish, kulichi, cheese Paskha and wine. The Council will be offering grilled sausages, coffee and tea.
16 April – Bright Monday Matins, Divine Liturgy, Procession and Open House. Again this year, Fr Oleg and Matushka Olya will be hosting an informal Open House to all at the Manse, next door to the Church. The balance of Bright Week is fast free and the customary Paschal greeting is “Christ is Risen”, to which the response is “Truly He is risen!”
22 April - Thomas Sunday Panikhida, Following Divine Liturgy Fr. Oleg will lead parishioners to the Pine Grove Cemetery, 50 minutes west of Kanata where some of our parishioners are interned. We are intending to share the Paschal Greeting and serve a general Memorial Service or panikhida with all are departed, those at this cemetery or elsewhere. After an informal pot-luck pomniki will be hosted at a nearby dacha.
ROCA YouTube Channel
For updates on the life of our church, please fell free to visit the new YouTube channel of our church. Those wishing to listen to the recorded sermons of our hierarchs or learn more about the life of our parishes and monasteries worldwide can do so by going to this link.Parish Council
